Complete the sentence by supplying the word opposite in meaning to the boldfaced word.

Answer:While the former chairman was widely criticized for his bellicose posture during inter-state negotiations, his successor earned praise for being remarkably 【conciliatory】, consistently seeking peaceful resolutions.

Answer

The word opposite in meaning to 'bellicose' that correctly completes the sentence is 'conciliatory' (or 'pacific', 'peaceful', 'amicable').

The word 'bellicose' describes an aggressive or warlike attitude. The sentence structure contrasts this attitude with a successor who actively seeks peaceful outcomes. Therefore, words such as 'conciliatory', 'pacific', or 'amicable'—which mean peacemaking or striving to restore harmony—serve as exact contextual antonyms to 'bellicose'.

Step-by-Step Solution

Analyze the meaning of the target boldfaced word in its sentence context.

The word 'bellicose' means aggressive, hostile, or eager to engage in conflict or war.

Understanding the exact meaning of the target word is necessary to identify its opposite.

Examine the sentence structure for contextual contrast clues.

The contrast conjunction 'While' sets up an opposition between the former chairman's 'bellicose posture' and the successor's demeanor, which is further clarified as 'consistently seeking peaceful resolutions'.

The sentence logic requires a word that means peacemaking or inclined to reconcile.

Select the appropriate antonym to fill the blank.

The word 'conciliatory' (or synonyms like 'pacific' or 'amicable') means intended to placate or bring about peace, making it the direct antonym of 'bellicose'.

Inserting 'conciliatory' completes the contrast and maintains grammatical and semantic precision.

Key Concept

Contextual Antonyms in Lexis and Vocabulary

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